CELPIP for Australian visas
Home Affairs accepts CELPIP General for tests taken on or after 7 August 2025, if you take it at a secure test centre. Competent English is CELPIP 7 in every skill. Paragon lists the Australian price as AUD 355 plus applicable taxes.
The CELPIP score for each English level
From Home Affairs' own tables, in each skill.
| Home Affairs level | Listening | Reading | Writing | Speaking |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vocational | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 |
| Competent | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 |
| Proficient | 9 | 8 | 10 | 8 |
| Superior | 10 | 10 | 12 | 10 |
Paragon publishes the same mapping on its own chart, so the two sources agree on the levels it names.
What the test is
CELPIP total test time is 2 hours and 50 minutes, and is done in one sitting.
| Section | Questions and time |
|---|---|
| Listening | 38 questions · 46–55 minutes |
| Reading | 38 questions · 43–56 minutes |
| Writing | 2 questions · 53 minutes |
| Speaking | 8 tasks · 15 minutes |
The Listening and Reading Tests contain unscored items used for test development. These unscored items can be found anywhere within the Listening and Reading Tests and will have the same format as the scored items. You will not be able to tell scored items from unscored items, so apply your best effort to the entire test.
Price and results
CELPIP General Test: AUD $355 + applicable taxes. Paragon says this is the Australian price and that international pricing varies.
CELPIP Test scores are available online through your CELPIP Account in 2-4 business days after your test date.
CELPIP Online is not accepted
The department does not accept evidence from English language tests that are delivered completely online (also known as 'remote-proctored' or 'at-home'). CELPIP Online is named in Home Affairs' list of tests it does not accept.
Common questions
Yes. CELPIP General is on the Home Affairs list for tests taken on or after 7 August 2025, at a secure test centre. Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program (CELPIP) is a general English language proficiency test officially recognized by Australia's Department of Home Affairs (DHA) for English proficiency.
CELPIP 7 in listening, reading, writing and speaking. Paragon's chart says: Competent English, at least CELPIP 7 for each component.
CELPIP 10 in listening, 10 in reading, 12 in writing and 10 in speaking.
CELPIP General Test: AUD $355 + applicable taxes. Check Paragon for the price at booking.
Paragon's pages disagree: CELPIP scores are valid for two years from the date your score report is issued. on its test format page, and cELPIP scores are valid for five years from the date your score report is issued. on its results page. For a visa, Home Affairs counts the test inside a window before you apply, which is 3 years for competent English on tests from 7 August 2025, depending on the visa.